Plants in family cucurbitaceae
Xerosicyos 'Silver Dollar'
Xerosicyos 'Silver Dollar' is a succulent with slender cylindrical gray stems and round leaves that range from pea green to gray-green. It climbs using slender forked tendrils, making it an interesting addition to bright light environments.
Cucumis sativus 'Poinsett 76'
Cucumis sativus 'Poinsett 76' is a cucumber variety known for producing dark green, straight fruits that are resistant to many common diseases. The cucumbers typically measure 7 to 8 inches long and 2.5 inches in diameter, offering a long harvest period. This variety is appreciated for its reliability and productivity, making it a staple in vegetable gardens. Its disease resistance and consistent yield make it a favorite among gardeners seeking a dependable cucumber crop.
Lagenaria siceraria
Lagenaria siceraria, commonly known as the hard-shelled gourd, is a versatile plant with vines that can grow up to 16 feet long. It is prized for its durable shell, which can last for decades once cured, making it ideal for craft projects like birdhouses. The gourd has an emerald green color with light speckles and can have either a curved or straight neck. It matures in 80 to 140 days and attracts hummingbirds. This plant is well-suited for those interested in crafting and gardening.
Cucurbita maxima 'Atlantic Giant'
Cucurbita maxima 'Atlantic Giant' is known for its potential to reach large sizes, making it suitable for carving, pies, and soups. This heat-loving plant is a favorite among those looking to grow giant pumpkins.
Cucurbita maxima 'Big Max'
Cucurbita maxima 'Big Max' is a giant pumpkin variety favored by growers for its round, smooth, light-orange skin. Ideal for Halloween carving or holiday decorations, it can also be used for canning or making pumpkin pies. To achieve maximum size, it is recommended to grow one pumpkin per vine.
Gerrardanthus macrorhizus
Gerrardanthus macrorhizus, native to southern Africa, is a perennial climber with a succulent, pumpkin-like caudex. It features ivy-shaped leaves and small, orchid-like flowers, known for its fast growth.
Cucumis melo
Cucumis melo is a type of melon known for its sweet, almost wine-like flavor and light green flesh. This heirloom variety, introduced in 1948 by the University of Minnesota, is well-suited for short growing seasons and can be grown in containers. The plant is compact, reaching about 36 inches, and produces round fruits weighing between 3 to 8 pounds. It is resistant to Fusarium wilt and more drought-tolerant than other melons. The fruit is aromatic with a small seed cavity, making it a high-quality choice for various climates. Melons are rich in vitamins A and C and are often used in culinary applications, including as a flavoring for Japanese liqueur Midori. The plant thrives in warm, well-drained soil but is vulnerable to certain diseases like downy mildew and anthracnose.
Cucurbita pepo
Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant species that includes varieties of winter squash and pumpkin. Domesticated in the Americas, it is known for its yellow flowers and lobed leaves. This plant is a host for various insects and is favored by squash bees for its pollen. It is one of the oldest domesticated species, with a wide range of varieties.
Citrullus lanatus
Citrullus lanatus, commonly known as watermelon, is a heat-loving plant that produces juicy, sweet fruit with red or yellow flesh. The fruit typically ranges from 7 to 10 inches in size and weighs between 8 to 10 pounds, making it convenient for refrigeration. Developed from the 'Mountain Sweet' melon, this variety thrives in regions with long, warm summers, which are essential for producing large, flavorful watermelons. Its dark green rind with lighter stripes adds to its visual appeal, making it a popular choice for summer gardens.
Cucumis sativus
Cucumis sativus is a type of cucumber known for its long, slender shape and tender, thin skin. Developed in the 1800s for greenhouse cultivation, it is burpless and non-bitter, making it ideal for fresh eating. This cucumber is best grown on a trellis and requires regular moisture during fruit formation.
Cucumis sativus 'Quick Snack'
Cucumis sativus 'Quick Snack' is a compact cucumber variety ideal for growing in small pots. This parthenocarpic plant does not require pollinators and produces dark green, smooth-skinned fruits best harvested when 1.5 to 2.5 inches long.
Cucurbita pepo 'Red Warty Thing'
Cucurbita pepo 'Red Warty Thing' is a unique pumpkin variety developed from the 1897 heirloom 'Victor'. It is renowned for its delicious flavor and fine texture, with a bumpy, thick red-orange skin. These pumpkins weigh between 10-20 pounds and grow on long vines, making them a striking addition to fall displays.
Lagenaria siceraria 'Corsican'
Lagenaria siceraria 'Corsican' is a type of hard-shelled gourd that grows 6 to 10 inches round and 3.5 to 5 inches deep. These gourds can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled, making them ideal for decorative purposes. They should be sown 24 inches apart if trellised.
Corallocarpus welwitschii
Corallocarpus welwitschii is a perennial climbing plant native to several African countries, including Angola and South Africa. It grows as a ground cover or vine, reaching up to 2 meters tall, with greyish-green foliage and pale-yellow flowers in summer. This plant is frost-hardy and has edible roots.
Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet'
Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet' is a classic watermelon variety known for its bright crimson flesh and large size, typically weighing 20-25 pounds. It is well-suited for northern climates and is resistant to common diseases like Fusarium wilt and anthracnose. The fruit's bottom turns ivory when ripe, indicating readiness for harvest. This watermelon is a staple in home gardens due to its reliable quality and sweet taste.
Cucumis melo 'Charentais'
Cucumis melo 'Charentais' is a true cantaloupe known for its smooth skin with light green stripes and creamy orange flesh. The fruits weigh 1.5-2 pounds and mature to a creamy yellow, offering an unsurpassed flavor. This heat-loving plant is ideal for summer gardens.
Cucurbita maxima 'Cinderella'
Cucurbita maxima 'Cinderella', also known as 'Rouge Vif d'Étampes', is a French heirloom pumpkin from the 1880s. It features deeply ridged, large fruits weighing 15-20 pounds, perfect for baking and canning. This heat-tolerant variety thrives in warm climates.
Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita maxima is a large heirloom squash known for its fine-grained texture and delicious flavor, suitable for soups, roasts, pies, and canning. It features vigorous vines up to 10 feet long and produces squash 18-24 inches long. Originating in South America over 4,000 years ago, it requires hot weather for optimal growth.
Citrullus lanatus 'Charleston Gray'
Citrullus lanatus 'Charleston Gray' is an open-pollinated watermelon variety with a greenish-gray rind. It is resistant to Fusarium wilt and anthracnose disease, producing fruits that are 22 to 26 inches long and weigh 25 to 35 pounds.
Cucurbita moschata
Cucurbita moschata is a versatile plant originating from Central or northern South America, known for its tolerance to hot, humid weather and resistance to diseases and insects. It is commonly used in commercial pumpkin pie mixes and can hybridize with other Cucurbita species. This long-vining plant is an important food source for indigenous people, with edible flowers, seeds, and flesh.
Xerosicyos perrieri
Xerosicyos perrieri is a succulent native to Madagascar, known for its ability to thrive in full sun and temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It requires low humidity and should be watered only when the soil is completely dry. This plant is part of the Cucurbitaceae family and is well-suited for dry, sunny environments.
Gurania eriantha
Gurania eriantha is a climbing plant found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, known for its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant green color. Its trailing vines attach to trees and structures, producing small flowers and pumpkin-like fruits. This plant provides habitat and food for wildlife, making it an important part of the rainforest ecosystem. Gurania eriantha is a fascinating addition to any tropical plant collection, offering a lush, green backdrop and unique growth habit.
Momordica boivinii
Momordica boivinii is a climbing succulent with annual herbaceous stems and yellow to deep orange flowers. It grows from a perennial tuberous rootstock and requires well-draining, rich soil. This plant prefers partial shade and should be kept dryish in winter. Its roots have traditional uses, and it is propagated by seeds.
Cucurbita pepo 'Gelber Englischer'
Cucurbita pepo 'Gelber Englischer' is an heirloom squash variety from Germany, known for its vibrant yellow fruits with creamy yellow and light green stripes. Best harvested when 2-4 inches wide for optimal flavor and texture, the fruits mature to a dark orange if left on the vine. This heat-loving plant is ideal for summer gardens.
Cucurbita pepo 'Angel Hair'
Cucurbita pepo 'Angel Hair' is a unique squash variety that produces up to 15 fruits per plant, each weighing 1.5 to 2 pounds. It is ideal for trellising and serves as a low-calorie pasta alternative, making it a versatile addition to vegetable gardens.
Momordica charantia
Bitter melon, or Momordica charantia, is a tropical vine known for its distinctive warty fruit and sharp taste that mellows when cooked. This plant thrives in warm climates and is best grown on a trellis or fence, reaching lengths of 6 to 8 feet. It is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, and its fruit is a staple in various Asian cuisines. The plant features separate male and female yellow flowers and produces fruit from September to November in the Northern Hemisphere. Bitter melon is frost-tender and grows as an annual in temperate zones but can be perennial in tropical areas. The fruit is hollow with a thin flesh layer and a central seed cavity, and it is typically consumed when green or slightly yellow. While the plant is used in traditional medicine, there is no significant evidence supporting its effectiveness against major diseases. It is important to note that bitter melon can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and is not recommended for pregnant women.
Momordica rostrata
Momordica rostrata is a unique plant native to Kenya, known for its swollen rootstock that acts as a water reservoir. It prefers well-drained soil and some sun, with a caudex that can grow up to 12 inches in diameter. The plant features vines that can reach up to 23 feet and produces yellow flowers. Its ability to store water makes it well-suited for dry conditions, and it is typically propagated from seeds.
Cucurbita pepo 'Mashed Potatoes'
Cucurbita pepo 'Mashed Potatoes' is a compact plant that grows to about 45 inches in length and produces three to four fruits per plant. The white-skinned fruit holds well into late fall, and its flesh resembles mashed potatoes when baked and fluffed. This plant is heat-loving and ideal for gardeners seeking unique culinary experiences.
Kedrostis africana
Kedrostis africana, commonly known as Baboon's Cucumber, is a succulent plant native to Namibia and South Africa. It features a large underground caudex that stores water, aiding its drought resistance. The plant has climbing stems that can reach up to 20 feet, with lobed leaves and light cream to green-yellow flowers. It produces small orange fruits and is self-fertile, with both male and female flowers on the same plant. Kedrostis africana is winter-dormant and prefers well-drained soil, requiring protection from frost and excessive sunlight. It is used in traditional medicine and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Cucumis melo ssp. flexuosus
Cucumis melo ssp. flexuosus, commonly known as Armenian cucumber, is a variety of melon with light green, thin skin. It is burpless, nearly seedless, and more heat tolerant than most cucumbers. This plant has a long production period, making it a reliable choice for warm climates.